This report sets out the key insights from the Inequalities in later life review and Ageing Better’s view on their implications.
Ageing Better commissioned a scoping review of the evidence on the nature of inequalities in later life in England. This review illustrates stark contrasts in people’s experiences of later life in terms of health, financial security and social connections. Whilst the literature paints a vivid picture of inequalities in these outcomes, there is also an astonishing lack of evidence relating to the inequalities in later life experienced by Black and minority ethnic groups, LGBT groups and people with disabilities.
Failure to address these inequalities risks a future where an even smaller group of people experience a good later life. We need to better understand our increasingly diverse ageing population and do more to tackle the causes and symptoms of inequality in later life. Some issues, such as health inequalities and disparities in life expectancy, are well known but remain persistent and enduring and can have a hugely damaging effect on wellbeing in later life. We should not be blind to or fatalistic about inequalities in later life. There are actions we can take now to change things. It is never too late to intervene to ensure a good later life for all.
This report sets out the key insights from the review and Ageing Better’s view on their implications. It is designed to stimulate debate and action to tackle inequalities, in order that more people enjoy a good later life now and in the future.
